zlacker

>>thirty+(OP)
dang / mods: if anyone passing deserves the HN black banner, I think Mitnick deserves the banner.

>>SEJeff+G3
As one of the people whose credit card number was stolen from Netcom, I would strongly object to this. I'm not here to speak poorly of the dead, but I'm definitely here to judge those who think too highly of him.

>>cjense+z6
It isn’t about thinking highly of him. His impact on security is well documented and very extensive. The black banner is used for honoring notable technologists who pass away. Regardless of personal thoughts, he was a very notable technologist and sort of first famous social engineer.

I’m sorry he stole your cc.

>>SEJeff+T6
I appreciate your kindness towards me.

But he wasn't a first famous social engineer. That was extremely old hat by then.

People keep claiming he is a notable technologist, but I can't think of how. The Internet and other systems had intrinsic design flaws in the early day because it was birthed as an overly trusted network of well-known peers. Poking for flaws in those days didn't require any skill. The Morris worm, for example, was extremely skillful.

My biggest exposure to anything related to him is KnowBe4 and it is an utter piece of crap. It provides training modules that have no idea who their audience is so it veers wildly between terrible advice and overly technical advice with alongside the correct advice.

And lastly, and I mean this sincerely, my condolences to his family and friends. No one should have to go through this so young.